Nigerian Army neutralizes 8 terrorists, rescues 32 victims

Nigerian Army troops under Operation Fansan Yamma neutralized at least eight suspected terrorists, rescued 32 kidnapping victims and arrested one suspect during a series of operations across Katsina, Zamfara and Kaduna states this week.

In Katsina State, troops of the 17 Brigade launched an offensive in Matazu Local Government Area following intelligence on the movement of a high-profile terrorist leader. The engagement resulted in the neutralization of two armed militants, according to an operational report. Soldiers rescued 10 women, nine men and 13 children held captive. They recovered two AK-47 rifles, 15 magazines, a fabricated grenade, a General Purpose Machine Gun butt, assorted military accessories, 10 motorcycles, ammunition and 26 livestock, which will be returned to owners after verification. The victims are undergoing medical assessments before handover to civil authorities.

Troops then ambushed a group of terrorists fleeing the Matazu area along the Turare-Kitibawa-Kuka Mai Damusa Road in neighboring DutsinMa Local Government Area at about 9:40 p.m. on May 9. The 17 Brigade unit deployed at Forward Operating Base FUDMA took blocking positions based on intelligence....